Raffia the Camel Becomes First Animal Employed by Google Maps

[jakeXT]

Google Maps is one step closer to capturing the entire world on camera thanks to Raffia the camel.

The 10-year-old dromedary is the first animal used by the company for their mapping missions, reports The Guardian. Raffia was outfitted with one of Google Maps's trekker cameras for a trip through the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The camel and her human escort hoofed through the desert beginning at 6 a.m., when lighting conditions were best. With a view from Raffia's hump, Google's trekker camera was able to capture stunning videos and photos of the desert's rolling hills, a glistening oasis and lots of golden sand.

"With every environment and every location, we try to customize the capture and how we do it for that part of the environment," said Google spokesperson Joyce Baz. "In the case of Liwa, we fashioned it in a way so [the camera] goes on a camel so that it can capture imagery in the best, most authentic and least damaging way."

http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20861224,00.html

[littlemissmartypants]

1. Google needs a vacation, apparently. nt